He was so right about that. But when I went into the bedroom, Nate's presence was everywhere. From the pictures on our nightstand, to his clothes that filled our closet. Even his fluffy pillow on the bed kept my thoughts locked on him. I tucked it between my legs, then closed my eyes. And after lying there for at least an hour, I still couldn't sleep. I tossed and turned, gazed at the ceiling, thought about when we'd first met, and then about our final days together. A part of me blamed myself for making him crazy like that, but I didn't blame myself for making him a womanizer. As I thought about the numerous times he'd cheated on me, those thoughts made me angry. His whorish ways are what drove me to have sex with Bones that day. I wanted revenge, and the only way I felt as if I could get some kind of satisfaction from how badly Nate had treated me that day was by fucking his best friend. I damn sure didn't expect for the dick to be that good though. And I never thought that I would get pregnant either. But it happened. I kept telling myself that there was a chance that Brianna was Nate's child too. When she was born, however, I knew Nate wasn't the father. It was clear as day. She had Bones written all over her.
I started to kick up a sweat, so I tossed the covers aside and slightly opened my robe. Almost immediately Bones came to mind. I thought about his sexy ass lying on my couch. I wondered if he was asleep. I also wanted to check on Brianna again, so I quietly got out of bed and went to her room. She was still knocked out, so I kissed her forehead and pulled up the covers for her to stay warm. I was so thankful that nothing had happened to her. Several hours ago I was about to lose my mind. Bones was right on time when he came through the door with her in his arms. It was a feeling that I would never, ever forget. I owed him big time.
I peeked into the living room, seeing that Bones was still in the same position as he was before. This time, though, all he had on was a pair of compression shorts that tightened on his muscular thighs and ass. His chocolate skin looked smooth and rich. And there was no way for me to ignore his bulge that was sitting high and pretty. His tight abs moved in and out as he breathed. He appeared to be in a deep sleep. I didn't want to wake him, but I was definitely in the mood to feel his arms wrapped around me. I wanted to feel something else too, but I didn't know if he would be willing to venture there with me tonight. Nonetheless, I took my chances and tiptoed over to him.
My eyes scanned down his entire body. Witnessing it up close made me remove the belt from my robe and slide it off my shoulders. I dropped it to the floor and stood naked beside him. Feeling so unsure about this, I didn't know if I should wake him first or just straddle myself on top of him. The last thing I needed tonight was rejection. There was a huge part of me that knew Bones wasn't about to let this go down. I released a deep sigh, deciding to take my horny ass back into the bedroom to deal with my thoughts. But as I bent over to reach for my robe, Bones shifted on the couch.
“What do you want?” he said in a whisper with his eyes still closed. “And why are you standing over me?”
His eyes slowly opened. I slid my robe back on, but it remained opened in the front with my goodies on display. “I . . . I'm not sure what I wanted, but I couldn't sleep. I thought you may have had some trouble sleeping too.”
He shrugged. “Nope, I'm good. Haven't slept like this in a while.”
That was odd, but, oh well. I only wished that I could get some sleep too. “Well, I'll let you get back toâ”
My words halted when Bones reached out for my hand. “Lie down,” he said.
I was so caught off guard by his actions. “Lie down where? In my room?”
“No. On me.”
“Seriously?”
He pulled me toward him. I didn't hesitate to straddle the top of him, but I had to admit that I was nervous. Bones had always rejected my advances toward him. I wasn't sure why he seemed ready for me now, but I guess he figured, like I did, that no more harm could be done. As our eyes stayed connected, he removed the robe from my shoulders and let it fall back. I was in total shock when he started to massage my breasts togetherâhis touch had my pussy leaking already. I could feel the growth of his muscle between my legs, and my toes curled from the thoughts of him slipping his big dick inside of me. My nipples were harder than rocks and when a slight arch formed in my back, Bones lifted me slightly to remove his shorts. His dick plopped out and stood taller than the first time I laid my eyes on it. I was eager to feel it grow in my mouth, but my pussy needed him more. No matter what my thoughts were, I let him make the next move. It consisted of him directing his dick at the entrance of my cream-filled slit. He inched his way inside, causing me to gasp and fall forward. I tried to silence my whimpering with a kiss on his lips, but as my mouth touched his, he turned his head.
“Do . . . Do you not want to do this?” I strained to say as he began to stroke me. “You actâ”
He reached out and placed two fingers over my lips. “Shhh. If I didn't want to do this, I wouldn't be doing it.”
He always spoke the truth. And with confirmation that he was onboard with this, I lowered my left foot to the floor, using it for leverage as I began to ride him. My sticky juices covered his shaft, and the feel of his dick painting my walls had me on cloud nine. I could barely contain myself. His meat filled me to capacity and tickled the shit out of my insides. My breasts were in his mouth, and as he switched his attention from one to the other, his strokes remained at a gentle pace.
“I can't believe we're doing thiiiiiis,” I moaned. “Do you know how long I've waited to feel this again?”
Bones circled his curled tongue around my nipples. His hands roamed my curves, and he gripped my ass tightly as I grinded hard on him. My mouth was wide open. Saliva dripped from one corner, so I licked across my lips to catch it. Bones was still working my breasts, and wanting so badly to kiss him, I removed my titty from his mouth and lifted his head. As I leaned in to his lips, he turned his head.
“Why won't you let me kiss you? I want to taste your lips. Please let me taste them.”
He cocked his neck from side to side, and I heard it pop. “No,” he said, then eased his dripping wet steel out of me. A flood of my creamy juices ran down the crack of my ass, and I thought we were finished until he got up and kneeled behind me. We resumed in a doggy-style position where he was definitely getting the best of me. And after a while, I could barely catch my breath. I wanted to cry from his hard, deep thrusts inside of me. The fast pace he had chosen weakened me. Our bodies dripped with sweat, and with my head lowered, I became dizzy from trying to meet his strokes. Strokes that made my insides even wetter. That made me come all over him. That made me want him even more, and that made me scream out his name and express my satisfaction. There was no doubt that he had me exactly where he wanted me. I was spent. Had melted like butter right before him. Damn near wanted to tell him that I loved him, but more than anything, I loved what his dick was doing to me. Loved how he made me feel. Appreciated the touch of his warm hands all over my body. Welcomed the attention he continued to give my breasts, but was disappointed that he didn't want to kiss me. That was why this position worked for him. He didn't have to look at me, nor did he have to subject himself to kissing advances. And even though I wanted one, I couldn't complain. He was fucking me so well that a kiss didn't matter right now. It had been a long time since I'd felt satisfied like this, and even though Nate was probably somewhere watching us, I couldn't resist the opportunity of being so up close and personal with Bones's dick again.
Almost ready to throw in the towel, I fell forward with my ass still hiked in the air. Bones had my cheeks spread far apart while he glided in and out of my simmering heated pocket. I closed my eyes and took deep breaths. Could feel another orgasm on the way, and as I felt his balls smack my ass and his fingers manipulate my clit, I let him have it. I locked my pussy on his shaft, then squirted.
“This . . . This shit can't be happening! Plu . . . Please tell me I'm not dreaming. This ain't no dream, is it?” I whined, then dropped my face on a pillow to silence my loud scream. Unfortunately, Bones didn't appreciate my reaction. He grabbed the back of my hair and yanked my head back so tight that I squeezed my watery eyes. I felt his dick deflate and squirm out of me.
“I'm glad you enjoyed yourself, but here's the deal.” He spoke in a stern voice. “I want to know if Brianna is really my daughter. I need some legal documents that confirm it either way. You got three weeks to let me know what's up, and if you don't take action, there will be major consequences. Until then, I don't want to hear from you, and I don't want to see you. If I attend Nate's funeral, don't say shit to me. As a matter of fact, don't even look my way. I'm done with you, and whatever you do, don't you ever offer me this pussy again because I
will
reject it.”
He pushed my head forward, then released his tight grip. Yet again, I was shocked. Bones was a trip. One minute he was with it; the next minute he wasn't. I intended to have a paternity test done, but why did he have to be so mean to me? He quickly stood up, and so did I. I blocked his pathway to the bathroom by standing in front of him.
“You don't have to be so cold toward me. I will get you the information you want, and when all is said and done, you'll know for a fact that Brianna is your daughter. Maybe then you can have a little bit more respect for me and you will start to see that us being together ain't as bad as you think. What do you think about that?”
Bones gazed straight into my eyes without a blink. “I think that the only reason you're alive right now is because of Brianna. I wouldn't want to see her in the wrong hands if something ever happened to you, and going forward, she should be your only focus. Just get me what I asked for. After that, we'll go from there.”
He walked around me, then went into the bathroom. After closing the door, I heard water running. What he'd said weighed heavily on my mind. Even though I was 110 percent sure about Brianna, 1 percent of me knew that there was a chance of another man being her father. I shook my head, thinking about what I had gotten myself into and the sneaky ways I could get myself out of it. When it involved Bones, I was sure that lying to him wouldn't be easy.
BONES
I sat at the long glass table with Mango sitting next to me. My eyes were locked on a briefcase filled with paper. He displayed a wide smile, showing a grill that cost him a fortune. His pride made me feel kind of good. Kind of like the way a father could make his son feel. This was my promotion. This was for all of the work I had done. Killing Theo proved to Mango that I was capable of doing much more. He was ready to take things to new heights.
He patted my back, then passed me two cigars. “You got big balls, Bones. I like how you move. Love how you keep things to yourself, and I appreciate the fact that you don't let niggas, who are supposed to be close to you, stand in the way. Theo got what he deserved. And the truth is, if you didn't lullaby his ass, somebody else would have. He was a snake. A flunky, and in no way had he been loyal to you. What I'm saying is, I hope you don't have any regrets.”
I didn't, but I wasn't about to say it. All I did was listen to Mango. I was more interested in what was next. He kept talking about moving up the ladder, but so far, all he was doing was riding my nuts.
“You are the man. The perfect one to handle some of my business on the outside. I trust only you to do it. You're the one who knows how to get the job done. So, I hope you like to travel. Maybe even travel to places you've never been. My connects come from all over the world, and I'm thrilled to finally have a nigga like you on my team. Other than this money, is there anything else I can get you? Some pussy, more cigars, a car . . . just tell me. I gotta take care of my number one man.”
Mango was full of shit, but I liked this nigga. He was real. Didn't hold back and spoke his mind. “The money is good, and whatever you dish out is cool with me,” I said. “Just tell me more about this new gig.”
Mango cleared his throat, then wiped his hand across his mouth. He stood and walked over to the bar in the far corner of the room, filled a crystal glass with Cognac, then washed it down his throat.
“Ahhhh,” he said. “That's some good shit. But in reference to the new gig, I want to utilize yo' skills in a more productive way. I thank you for shaking niggas up and forcing them to do right by me, but there are plenty more muthafuckas out there who are prohibiting me from being all that I can be. Those people need to be dealt with from time to time. With you and Pebbles out there handling things for me, people will begin to respect me and my organization more. They will think twice before fucking me over, and a lot more money can swing my way. More opportunities will arise, and we all could be sitting extra pretty.”
“I get a feeling that more murders will be involved. And who is Pebbles?”
“Murder is a nasty word. You won't be murdering anybody, unless you feel a need to. I'd like to think of it as you
handling
things for me. Pebbles is a bitch without a conscience. She has worked for me for the past five years, but I need someone like you to go along with her and make her a little softer. Some of my connects are turned off by her. They would love to see someone like you in the field with a calmer head. Some of them niggas love her to death too. That's why I don't want to let her go.”
I glanced at the money slipping through the cracks of the suitcase, then sat up straight. “When I work, I work alone. The last thing I need is a cocky bitch standing in the way of me getting things done.”
“She won't get in the way. I already told her about you, and she's willing to work with you. Keep in mind that behind every productive and successful man is a woman. We need to roll like this, and if you ain't feeling it after a month or two, then I'll change plans.”
I honestly didn't like where Mango was going with this. He went on and on about how much the police had his back, and with many officers on his payroll, he claimed we were good. Seemed like with the snap of his finger, he made issues like the one with Skittles go away. According to him, there would be no follow-ups about Nate, Theo, or even Red's death because Mango knew how to silence the police. Yet again, he claimed to have my back, and he invited Pebbles to come over so we could meet.
“I'm pulling up right now,” she said through the intercom. “I hope you got that for me too.”
“Always. You know daddy gon' take care of you. No worries.”
Mango walked off, then came back with a Michael Kors purse in his hand. He put it on the table, then told me to tuck away the suitcase.
“I don't want her to see how much I've been giving you. Bitches always complaining about equal rights and equal pay, but we both know that men and women are on different levels. Keep that between us, 'cause the last thing I need is her to get sensitive over that shit.”
I stood, tucked the money away in the suitcase, then locked it. Since I had to take a leak, I excused myself from Mango and told him I'd be right back. I took a quick leak, then washed my hands. While looking in the mirror, I cocked my cap sideways, straightened my goatee with the tips of my fingers, then zipped the jacket to my white-and-black sweat suit. I wiped my hands on a towel, then exited the bathroom. Before I made it back into the other room, I could hear a female's sassy voice. She overtalked Mango who was asking her to chill out and calm down.
“At the end of the day,” he yelled, “I told you not to shoot him. Yo' ass been trigger-happy lately, and I keep telling you that you need some dick in yo' life to help calm you down.”
“Fuck dick. That nigga didn't pay up, so he got what he deserved. You know I don't play that shit, so I don't know why you're so upset with me for following your orders.”
“I didn't order you to shoot him. I told you to let Jake handle him. But it's too late now. What's done is done.”
From a short distance, I saw Pebbles. She was skinny like Rihanna, but model-like tall. Her body seemed fit for the runway, and the unique leather dress she wore hugged her small curves like a tight glove. Her breasts were tiny, but the size of her ass was round and perfect. I could tell she worked out, and even though she was toned, I definitely appreciated chicks with a little more meat on their bones. Her short, layered haircut was neatly lined, and without a drop of makeup on, her cocoa-brown skin glistened. Her doe-shaped, light brown eyes were luring, and the high arch in her brows classified her as one in a million. I wasn't sure how I felt about working side by side with her, but my dick thumped a little to let me know
it
was feeling her, even if I wasn't. Mango looked past her to speak to me.
“I know you have to get going, but I wanted the two of you to finally meet. Bones, this is Pebbles. I'll hit you up in about an hour or so to let you know our next move. Gotta make a few calls first.”
Pebbles swung around to look at me. Her smile vanished. With a blank expression covering her face, she searched me from head to toe, then turned back around. “50 Cent looks better, but that's just my opinion. Anyway, Mango, we need to take care of some things. Let me know when you're done with Mr. Bones.”
“We're done,” I said, walking up to the table and removing the suitcase. “Go ahead and handle y'all's business.” I held out my hand to Mango, and he grabbed it. “Thanks, man. I really do appreciate this. But for the record, my grandmother in a cat suit looks better. That's just my opinion, and I now understand why you're having issues with getting the job done.”
Mango snickered as I walked away. Pebbles yelled after me. “Nigga, yo' grandmother wish she could look this good! Get the fuck out of here with that mess and please don't get me started.”
I didn't bother to respond. It was already evident that this bitch and I wouldn't get along. I intended to keep my distance, and she would only be useful to me if I started to see some potential.
About an hour later, I sat at my grandmother's house eating dinner. Church music echoed in the background, and the smell of soul food was in the air. She was at the table too, and as she cut into a sweet potato pie and put a slice on my plate, she tried to convince me to move out.
“I know we've had this talk before, Bones, but it's time. You stay here because you worry about me, but I'll be okay. You have your whole life ahead of you, and I don't want you always cooped up in here with me. Besides that, I want to invite my boyfriends over here. You always in the way of me doing things that I want to do.”
I smiled, knowing that my grandmother was only teasing me. The last man she invited over here was about ten years ago. I scared him away and almost beat his ass because he was being disrespectful to her.
“You don't have any boyfriends, so stop talking that mess. And I do worry about you. I stay because I want to. I'm comfortable here, and this is home for me. It always will be.”
“It will continue to be home, even after you move out. It ain't an option no more. Time for you to leave the nest. I won't start preaching about how uncomfortable I am with all of this sudden money you've been branging in here, and I know you don't want to hear it. By having yo' own place, you can do whatever you wish. I just don't want you to do it while you here.”
I wiped my mouth with a napkin, then guzzled down my water. “Are you kicking me out? Is that what you're doing?”
My grandmother winked at me. “Something like that, but in a good way, of course. You can visit as much as you'd like, and I won't even ask you to return my key.”
I chuckled and shook my head. I knew this day would come, but I had to find a place that was suitable and close by. I told my grandmother that I would check out of her place, and less than a week later, I had. I found a simple loft with two bedrooms and two bathrooms. It set me back several grand, but with the money Mango had already dished out, I had plenty to spare. As I was carrying a bag of clothes up the spiral stairs that led to my bedroom, my cell phone rang. It was Alexis. I didn't answer, but she sent me a text message saying that we needed to talk soon. Minutes later, Mango called. This time, I answered.
“I want you to meet with Pebbles tonight. She'll give you details about what to do, and it would please my heart if y'all can jet to Atlanta and take care of things for me on Friday.”
“I don't know the details, but I have no plans this Friday. Where am I supposed to meet Pebbles?”
“Call her. I'ma give you her number. She'll tell you where she wants to meet.”
“That's cool, but to be honest, I can tell that I'ma have some problems with this chick. We won't click. She trying to be boss, and I don't like that shit.”
“I feel you on everything you just said, but once you get to know her, you'll see that she's good people. Real sweet. She comes off as being hard and shit, but she soft as a kitten. Just give it some time, and focus on what's important. Business.”
Mango gave me her number. I jotted it down, then continued to take my clothes to the walk-in closet. While the loft was simple and empty, it was definitely a step up from my grandmother's crib. The stainless steel appliances, granite-topped island, and tinted windows that viewed the city of Chicago, truly made a nigga feel like he had arrived. I intended to furnish the place, but with as little furniture as possible. More than anything, I needed a bedroom set. The one at my grandmother's house wouldn't do.
While checking out the view, I leaned against the picture windows to return Alexis's call. She answered right away.
“Whenever you get time, I need you to go to this address so they can get a sample of your DNA. Do you have a piece of paper and pencil handy?”
“Text me the info. I'll go tomorrow. And just so you know, I'll be having my own test done too.”
“Are you saying that you don't trust me?”
“That's exactly what I'm saying.”
“Good. I don't trust you either. Especially since you didn't show up at Nate's funeral. And I know you heard about what happened to Theo too. Why haven't you returned any of my phone calls? Something is up, and I think you know more than what you're saying. I would really like to know what actually happened between you, Nate, and Theo.”
“I can't tell you what I don't know, but I didn't show up because I figured Nate wouldn't have wanted me there. As for Theo, I'm disappointed. Didn't know that he didn't value his life either. What a shame.”
“Bones, that's bullshit, and you know it. You know this mess don't add up, and why would Theo kill himself too? Nichelle has been asking me all kinds of questions about that day. She wants to talk to you as well.”
“Fuck Nichelle or anybody else who thinks I'm involved. You lucky that I'm still talking to you, but I have a feeling that our conversations will soon cease. I'm going to Atlanta this weekend. When I come back, I expect some results. No more games, Alexis, just results.”
I ended the call with Alexis, then dialed out to call Pebbles. She answered right away too.
“Where do you want to meet?” I asked.
“Who is this?” she snapped.
“Bones.”
“Bones who?”
“Bones who ain't got nothing on 50.”
“Oh,
that
one. Well, since I don't invite people I don't like to my crib, how about I meet you at a restaurant?”
“Sounds good to me, especially since you can stand to eat a little something. Choose a place with greasy, fatty foods. Somewhere you can get some desserts to help enhance a few things. Then again, where we eat is your choice, not mine.”
“Fuck you, Bones, all right? Meet me at Geno's Bar & Grill around six. It's a little hole-in-the-wall, but I'm sure you're used to being in those kinds of places.”
She hung up. I wasn't looking forward to meeting with her, but I had to keep in mind what Mango had said. This was all about business. About us making more money. Money that could set me up pretty and put me on a path I was destined to be on. Only because of that, I went with the flow.